Tsunamis and Running

Most of the time, living in earthquake/tsunami country is the last thing on my mind.  Matt and I have a kit of emergency supplies with food, water, and first aid in our garage next to the camping gear.  We have a designated meeting spot outside of our neighborhood.  Matt's office is linked to a continuously playing radio signal.  If it is broadcasting, he's still safe at work.  That's about the extent of our preparation, basically what to do if I'm at home and he is not. 

Matt and I took our run today to the new coastal trail.  The sun was shining, a light breeze blew in the air.  By all accounts, it was a perfectly wonderful day.  Then the tsunami siren sounded.  If you've ever heard one, you know they are LOUD and unmistakable for anything else.  They sound like air raid horns, example here.  It provokes an eerie feeling and always reminds me of those WWII movies with bombing scenes.  Airplanes flew close to the ground and broadcast an audio message up and down the entire coast. 

That's a lotta yellow.

Thankfully, today's events were just a test of the emergency equipment and for the cooperating agencies.  But it got me to thinking further about my personal plans in the event of a major earthquake and tsunami. 

I do some runs out here.  This map is about the only thing that tells you which sand dune is high enough to possibly save your butt.

I spend a lot of time running in these Tsunami Hazard Zone areas.  Do I know where the safe areas are?  Do I know how to get there?  Could I get there in time?  Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes no.  The only warning is often the earthquake itself.  Then less than ten minutes later, the waves can hit.  This afternoon, I checked out where the nearest high spot was on my route.  Thanks for the reminder, Tsunami Preparedness Week. :)

Map source

Do you live in a tsunami prone area?  Does your plan include what to do if you're out running when the big earthquake hits?